KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Being the conference underdog, as the Western Michigan University women's soccer team was going into the 2023 season, it was always nice as it got to be the chaser, hopefully pulling off a few upset victories along the way.
For the Broncos in 2024, it's a whole different ball game.
As defending Mid-American Conference champions, they will be trying to fend off everyone during another tough season, which opens at home on Aug. 15 against Northern Kentucky. The MAC opener is at Ohio University on Sept. 19.
''Defending champ definitely sounds great, but it puts a target on our backs and we're not the underdogs chasing any more,'' graduate student and 2023 All-MAC first teamer Jen Blitchok said.